Thud!


    Thud!


    One ball after another sank perfectly into the pockets, each shot met with louder cheers. My aim


    was on fire, and the crowd was actually starting to root for me.


    With Hayden watching nearby, a thought popped into my head: “Keira, show him a side of you he’s


    never


    seen.


    We’d been together a while, but he’d never watched me y snooker. My skills were tied to


    memories with Jace, and I’d always worried it might stir something up if Hayden found out.


    But here I was, putting it all on disy for him.


    Thud!


    I lined up my next shot, sent the cue ball spinning toward the pocket… but it stopped just short.


    Ugh. Close, but not quite. Now it was Yara’s turn.


    The crowd went wild, switching sides to cheer her on as she took her ce at the table.


    It was funny–neither Yara nor I were professionals, yet somehow, the crowd had split into full–on


    fan sections for us, like we were fierce rivals.


    Yara picked up her cue, leaning over the table with that practiced, graceful stance. Every move she


    made was smooth and elegant, almost like she was putting on a show, and the crowd loved it. Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “Go, beautiful!” someone shouted as she sank ball after ball.


    When only one ball was left on the table, we were tied. If she made thisst shot, I’d lose.


    The crowd fell silent, tension thick in the air. If I lost, it’d mean the same result as Steve’s earlier


    slip–up- and cost them their bets, just as they’d all started banking on me to win.


    The cheers faded as the crowd seemed to realize they might’ve backed the wrong yer.


    “Sorry, but this is the end,” Yara said, smirking.


    Win or lose, I wasn’t about to beg. Losing would mean losing any leverage I had with Heman, but


    there was no way I’d back down–especially not in front of Hayden.


    I just smiled calmly and gestured for her to take the shot.


    Yara didn’t hesitate, lining up with perfect form as everyone held their breath. The cue ball struck


    the ck ball, sending it rolling toward the pocket.


    Then, right before it sank, the lights went out. The arena plunged into darkness, startled screams


    echoing around us. Suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist, yanking me forward.


    Disoriented, I stumbled through the pitch–ck chaos, but the hand holding mine kept pulling me


    along. steady and firm.


    I didn’t know where we were headed, but I pushed aside my doubts and focused on the grip guiding


    me


    forward.


    “Steve, I… I can’t keep running.” I gasped, my side achi


    We’d broken away from the crowd. It felt like it was just the two of us now, and the noise had faded


    mo the distance.


    But Steve didn’t answer, only slowed his pace


    Finally catching my breath, I asked, “Who nned this? Was it Jace? Hemen had to have seen the


    coming. No way he’d let us go that easy.


    Still, no response. A weird feeling crept over me. I raised my free hand and tagged on his arm


    “Steve… why aren’t you saying anything?”